About
In the heart of Taos, the historic Taos Plaza captures the spirit and soul of this high desert community. Here, history, daily life, and an unmistakable Taos creative energy all overlap.
Now serving as the center of the Taos Historic District, origins of the Taos Plaza date back to the late 18th century. While a pueblo revolt in 1680 first drove Spanish colonists out of the area, by 1710 Spain had regained the territory and in 1796 the King of Spain issued the Don Fernando de Taos Land Grant to 63 families in the area.
With large quadrangles designed like a fortress, a village grew in the center of the land grant, flanked by entrances that could be easily defended. At night, the enclosure even served as a safe refuge for livestock, and during trade fairs merchants set up shop in ways that feel surprisingly familiar today.
Over time, fires took out many of the original contiguous buildings, and replacements rose in their place. Today, the Taos Plaza is the core of the Taos Historic District, where locals come for live music and farmers markets, and visitors wander between shops and galleries, soaking up centuries of living culture.
While the Taos Plaza retains its original shape of over 400 years ago, it is now a popular tourist destination and host to cultural events, live music, and galleries. Each July, the Taos Plaza and nearby Our Lady of Guadalupe Church serve as central stages for the Fiesta de Taos celebrations.
Taos Plaza: Fun Facts & Cool Features
Taos Plaza began as a fortified settlement in the late 18th century with a single main gate, built to protect residents and control access. Its beginnings date back to the 1796 Don Fernando de Taos Land Grant made by the King of Spain. Along with Taos Pueblo set just to the north, the plaza once served as the northern point of the Historic Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (the King’s Highway) stretching from Mexico City.
Because the buildings were connected, fires often spread quickly, reshaping the plaza more than once over the years. Curiously, a 1932 fire on the Plaza’s north side further spurred the creation of the Taos Volunteer Fire Department. At the time, the fire destroyed the Taos County Courthouse.
Today, many of the structures framing the plaza reflect the architectural character established in the 1930s. This includes various renditions - and recreations - of the gazebo that sits at the plaza’s center. The iconic La Fonda de Taos Hotel sitting on the plaza has been there since 1820, when it replaced the St. Vrain Mercantile Store.
Perched at just under 7,000 feet in elevation, the Taos Plaza remains a true community hub, hosting gatherings like live music and farmers markets while offering visitors the opportunity to step into shops and galleries. As inspiration to formation of the Taos Society of Artists in 1912, the plaza has been an anchor to a flourishing world-renowned arts community since the 1900s
If you want one stop that blends heritage, people-watching, and easy strolling between local businesses, add a visit to Taos Plaza to your Northern New Mexico vacation itinerary.
Local Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes and stay hydrated.
- Take time to enjoy all the circle has to offer.
- Pair your visit with nearby galleries and shops so you can explore on foot.
- Check dates for live music performances, Farmers Market, and cultural events.
